AHOLD REPORTS DECLINE IN 3Q SALES

ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here last week said competitive pressures and the ongoing integration of its Stop & Shop and Giant of Landover, Md., chains drove down identical-store sales at those banners in the third quarter.R Total sales in the U.S. Retail division slid 1.3% in the period, to $6.09 billion, vs. the year-ago quarter. Through three quarters sales fell 0.7%, to $20.54 billion, from

Oct 25, 2004

ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here last week said competitive pressures and the ongoing integration of its Stop & Shop and Giant of Landover, Md., chains drove down identical-store sales at those banners in the third quarter.

R> Total sales in the U.S. Retail division slid 1.3% in the period, to $6.09 billion, vs. the year-ago quarter. Through three quarters sales fell 0.7%, to $20.54 billion, from $20.69 billion in the year-ago span.